The new chairs of the cross-party committees in charge of scrutinising the government's work on energy and environment were announced yesterday.
Labour MP for Ogmore, Huw Irranca-Davies was elected chair of the environmental audit committee, replacing the Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North Joan Walley, who stepped down at the last election. He beat fellow Labour MPs Barry Gardiner, who received 209 votes, and Alan Whitehead, who received 78 votes.
In the last parliament, Irranca-Davies held posts as shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, energy and climate change and marine and natural environment. He was also parliamentary secretary for environment, food and rural affairs and marine and natural environment under the last Labour government.
The energy and climate change committee will be headed by the SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil, who was the only MP nominated for the post. His only previous role with links to the environment was as SNP spokesperson of environment, food and rural affairs. He replaces Conservative MP for South Suffolk Tim Yeo.
Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, Neil Parish will chair of the environment, food and rural affairs committee, having been a member of the committee since 2010. He was the sole candidate for the post and replaces Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton Anne McIntosh.
Labour MP for Sheffield South East, Clive Betts remains as chair of the communities and local government committee, while MP for Liverpool Riverside, Louise Ellman will also stay in her post as chair of the transport committee.
Parties will now begin electing committee members.
